Mount Diablo State Park is located approximately 30 miles from San Francisco.
From Mount Diablo's 3,849 feet summit, you feel like you are on top of the world, with views
to West beyond the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands and East to the
Sierra Nevada mountain range. After legislation in 1921, California acquired enough land
surrounding the peak to create Mount Diablo State Park in 1931. Mount Diablo State Park
consists of approximately 20,000 acres, but over the years, the preserved lands on
and around Mount Diablo have grown to over 90,000 acres, forever preserving one of
the largest view sheds in the Western United States for everyone to enjoy.

Movement over the years has severely tilted and formed dramatic ridgelines,
creating a double pyramid shaped Mount Diablo, which resembles a volcano. The mountain
continues to grow, ever so slightly, each year.  The seasonal waterfalls, distinctive rock
formations, trails, wildlife and beautiful wildflowers have been inspiration to
many artists, photographers and writers.

Visitors can enjoy activities, such as picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing,
hang gliding and camping. Mount Diablo State Park lands has approximately 100 access points and
520 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, some available for mountain biking.  www.mdia.org

By entering by vehicle through Walnut Creek's north gate, visitors can access the summit
to the park Museum to learn about the Native American history of the area, park's ecosystems
and geological forces that created Mount Diablo. Visitors can also enjoy the exhibit of local art
and photography and find mementos at the gift shop. From the tower, viewing through observation
telescopes are available to enjoy the spectacular views.  On a clear day after a winter storm,
it is possible to view the winding waterways of the Delta, Sierra Nevada mountain
range and the Mt. Lassen of the Cascade Range as far away as 180 miles.
Summer views are typically hazy.

On Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton, there is access to the south end of the Park. Visitors
will find the Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center, where park staff provides information regarding the
natural wonders of Mount Diablo State Park and trail maps and park mementos for sale.

As you hike along the numerous trails throughout the park, you will experience variations
in vegetation, wildlife and geology. You will see open grasslands, woodlands and savannahs at the
lower elevations and various pine trees at the upper elevation. There is a variety of wildlife,
which includes small and large mammals, such as deer, bobcat, mountain lions and squirrels,
and reptiles, birds and insects, such as snakes, frogs, salamanders, owls, eagles
and tarantulas. Some of the things to avoid are, the western poison oak, which has toxic leaves
and branches, even when devoid of leaves, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and rattlesnakes.
Mount Diablo's various ancient rock formations were created by the geologic compression and uplift
from the movement of the earth's plates. The mountain continues to shift and grow slowly,
forever changing the shape of the mountain. You can find a variety of rocks, such as volcanic
basalt, sandstone, limestone, coal and sand. On the western foothills of the
mountain, you can find deposits of seashells in the tilted sandstone.

Wheelchair access is provided at the Mary Bowerman Trail and boardwalk with interpretive
stations located on a portion of the trail around the mountain. Dogs are not permitted on
the trails and must by controled by leash at all times. They are restricted to tents,
camper or enclosed vehicles during the night.

Be prepared, the weather varies on the Mount Diablo. At the mountain peak, visitors
can occassionally experience snowfall in the winter and hot and dry weather in the summer.

The park opens at 8 am and closes at sunset. For more information about the
Mount Diablo State Park, please call (925) 837-2525.